Bambi Thug secures Eurovision 2024 final slot for Ireland

Ireland's Bambie Thug has qualified for the final of Eurovision 2024 with their song 'Doomsday Blue' in tonight's first Eurovision semi-finals in Malmo in Sweden.

The artist has become the first Irish contestant to make the Eurovision Song Contest final since 2018.

Others to qualify for Saturday night's final were Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus, and Luxembourg. The second semi-final takes place on Thursday night.

Bambi went on stage fourth - and wowed audiences across Europe with a spectacular lights show and dramatic costume change on set.

'Crown The Witch' was the cry from the crowd, as the lights faded on tonight's Irish performance.

Bambie Thug has tapped into their witchy persona as their staging in Malmo featured a ring of lights.

Their male dancers also looked almost devil-like with blue paint, highly exaggerated ears and fake teeth.

Halfway through the end of the song, Bambie also revealed the trans flag on their costume ahead of fire being set around the stage.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE! ????????????#CrownTheWitch #Eurovision2024 #BambiThug #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/7AUPQ666Xx

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) May 7, 2024

In the interval between voting Johnny Logan performed and paid tribute to his fellow two-time Eurovision Song Contest champion by singing Loreen’s Euphoria at Malmo Arena.

Loreen, who was crowned for a second time in Liverpool with Tattoo, first won the competition in 2012 for Sweden.

Logan, 69, had a full orchestra as he opted to make the lyrics more emotional and was greeted by applause from the audience.

Earlier Tanaiste Micheál Martin wished them the best of luck, saying it is great to see such a unique and talented performer fly the flag for Ireland - and Cork - in this year's competition.